2013 Ford Taurus - 2011 New York Auto Show

It's time for a really big SHO.

Ford came to the New York Auto Show with a bit of a surprise, opting to pass on a concept car or some sort of alternative fuel powerplant in favor of unveiling a facelifted flagship family sedan—the 2013 Ford Taurus.

While at face value, this is isn't that big a deal, it underscores the important role that these large sedans still fill in the company's product portfolio. These cars not only provide transportation for families and fleets, the Taurus SHO fills a unique niche in being one of the few affordable sport sedans built by a domestic manufacturer. The closest competition is the Dodge Charger SRT8, while the Chrysler version of this car, as well as the Cadillac CTS-V, costs thousands more.

At first blush, there is little to distinguish the new Taurus from the current model in terms of its overall silhouette. In standard trim it remains a large front-drive 4-door family sedan with plenty of room for 5. The face of the car is the most changed, with a large two-tier grille opening consistent with the look of the recently introduced and European-influenced Focus and Fiesta. The new nose is particularly fetching in the all-wheel-drive Taurus SHO with its mesh black grille and muscular wheel and tire package.

More From Road & Track

In fact, this facelift has had the greatest impact on the performance version, which now looks much more aggressive and purposeful than the car it replaces.

Beneath the hood, the 2013 Ford Taurus receives some major powertrain revisions that include the option of going with a fuel-saving 4-cylinder option that doesn't scrimp on performance.

Base models are powered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that proves 237 bhp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque that promises to deliver 31 mpg. Not bad for a car weighing 4000 lb. The optional engine on standard Taurus models is a normally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 producing 290 bhp, a gain of 27 bhp over the stock engine. Torque is expected to be 255 lb.-ft. The big dog SHO uses a turbocharged 3.5-liter engine to make 365 bhp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, thanks to the use of direct injection and twin turbos. All 2013 Ford Taurus models are equipped with a 6-speed automatic transaxle, although the SHO features a beefed-up gearbox with sequential paddle shifters.

The SHO is able to put that power down through a standard all-wheel-drive system that incorporates a limited-slip diff and large wheels and tires. The SHO comes with 19-in. wheels fitted with V-rated P255/45 rubber, while 20-in. wheels are optional. The suspension is tauter and the brakes are also upgraded.

The 2013 Ford Taurus is expected to go into production late this year at Ford's Chicago assembly plant and go on sale in the first quarter of 2012.